बिसयसूची

The total area of the United Kingdom is approximately 243,610 वर्ग किलोमीटर (94,060 वर्ग मील). The country occupies the major part of the British Isles[21]archipelago and includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland and some smaller surrounding islands. It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea with the south-east coast coming within 22 मील (35 किमी) of the coast of northern France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.[22] In 1993 10 % of the UK was forested, 46 % used for pastures and 25 % cultivated for agriculture.[23] The Royal Greenwich Observatory in London is the defining point of the Prime Meridian.[24]

The United Kingdom lies between latitudes 49° to 61° N, and longitudes 9° W to 2° E. Northern Ireland shares a 224-मील (360 किमी) land boundary with the Republic of Ireland.[22] The coastline of Great Britain is 11,073 मील (17,820 किमी) long.[25] It is connected to continental Europe by the Channel Tunnel, which at 31 मील (50 किमी) (24 मील (38 किमी) underwater) is the longest underwater tunnel in the world.[26]

Wales accounts for less than a tenth of the total area of the UK, covering 20,779 वर्ग किलोमीटर (8,020 वर्ग मील).[32] Wales is mostly mountainous, though South Wales is less mountainous than North and mid Wales. The main population and industrial areas are in South Wales, consisting of the coastal cities of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, and the South Wales Valleys to their north. The highest mountains in Wales are in Snowdonia and include Snowdon (वेल्श: Yr Wyddfa) which, at 1,085 मीटर (3,560 फीट), is the highest peak in Wales.[23] The 14, or possibly 15, Welsh mountains over 3,000 फीट (910 मीटर) high are known collectively as the Welsh 3000s. Wales has over 2,704 किलोमीटर (1,680 मील) of coastline.[25] Several islands lie off the Welsh mainland, the largest of which is Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in the north-west.

The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round.[22] The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping below −11 °C (12 °F) or rising above 35 °C (95 °F).[34] The prevailing wind is from the south-west and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean,[22] although the eastern parts are mostly sheltered from this wind since the majority of the rain falls over the western regions the eastern parts are therefore the driest. Atlantic currents, warmed by the Gulf Stream, bring mild winters;[35] especially in the west where winters are wet and even more so over high ground. Summers are warmest in the south-east of England, being closest to the European mainland, and coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in winter and early spring on high ground, and occasionally settles to great depth away from the hills.

There is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom.[36] Each country of the United Kingdom has its own arrangements, whose origins often pre-date the UK's formation. Until the 19th century there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since been a constant evolution of role and function,[37] most significantly the devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Local government in Northern Ireland has since 1973 been organised into 26 district councils, each elected by single transferable vote. Their powers are limited to services such as collecting waste, controlling dogs and maintaining parks and cemeteries.[47] On 13 मार्च 2008 the executive agreed on proposals to create 11 new councils and replace the present system.[48] The next local elections were postponed until 2016 to facilitate this.[49]

↑There is no authorised version of the national anthem as the words are a matter of tradition; only the first verse is usually sung.[1] No law was passed making "God Save the Queen" the official anthem. In the English tradition, such laws are not necessary; proclamation and usage are sufficient to make it the national anthem. "God Save the Queen" also serves as the Royal anthem for certain en:Commonwealth realms.

↑"Definition of Great Britain in English". Oxford University Press. पहुँचतिथी 29 अक्टूबर 2014. Great Britain is the name for the island that comprises England, Scotland, and Wales, although the term is also used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom.

↑"Devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland". United Kingdom Government. पहुँचतिथी 17 अप्रैल 2013. In a similar way to how the government is formed from members from the two Houses of Parliament, members of the devolved legislatures nominate ministers from among themselves to comprise an executive, known as the devolved administrations...

The full title of this country is 'the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 'Britain' is used informally, usually meaning the United Kingdom.The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK.

↑Oxford English Dictionary: "British Isles: a geographical term for the islands comprising Great Britain and Ireland with all their offshore islands including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands."

↑Sherman, Jill; Norfolk, Andrew (5 November 2004). "Prescott's dream in tatters as North East rejects assembly". The Times. London. पहुँचतिथी 15 February 2008. The Government is now expected to tear up its twelve-year-old plan to create eight or nine regional assemblies in England to mirror devolution in Scotland and Wales.(subscription required)